Chapter 1 : A Dog’s Warning

At a drama filming set in Namyangju, the air was thick with the hum of activity.

Inside a massive container box, dozens of staff members bustled about, surrounded by heaps of equipment. 

“Ugh… doesn’t this place have a single air conditioner?” 

I sprawled in a corner of the set, my eyes fixed on Jaehyun, who was hard at work. 

“Everything was planned from the start. You were just a pawn in their game.” 

Jaehyun delivered his line with a sly smirk, his acting as smooth as a flowing stream. 

“What? You bastard!” 

The response came, but it was so lackluster I couldn’t help but think even reading a textbook in class would’ve been more convincing. 

“Seriously? That’s all the emotion you can muster for this scene?” 

I was itching to rush over and give them a piece of my mind about their acting, but the memory of barking my head off in a similar situation—and getting kicked out—kept me rooted to the spot. 

“Cut! Okay!” 

How could they let that performance slide?

Humans, always pretending to be clever and picky, but so clueless. 

“Okay, everyone! Let’s take a break and move to the next scene!” 

“Good work, everyone. Jaehyun! Dad, you nailed it, didn’t you?” 

The moment the cut was called, Jaehyun jogged over to me, rubbing my cheeks with both hands. 

“Master, it’s hot. Let’s cool off under some AC.” 

Ignoring my silent plea, I got up and padded toward Jaehyun’s van parked outside.

The moment we arrived, his manager swung the door open. 

“Ahh, that’s the stuff.” 

The van was a haven of cool air, thanks to the AC that had been left running. 

“Jaehyun, Jungwoo sent a coffee truck to cheer you on. He’s here visiting.” 

“Jungwoo? Really?” 

At the mention of Jungwoo’s name, Jaehyun froze mid-step into the van and turned to his manager. 

“Yeah, he was here a minute ago, but he stepped out to take a call.” 

“Ha.” 

Jaehyun let out a short, incredulous laugh. 

“Huh? What’s the hold-up? It’s scorching out here—get in already!” 

“Woof!” 

I claimed my spot on the car seat, waiting for Jaehyun, but his face twisted into a troubled expression as he turned away. 

“Hyunjae, you rest here. I’ll be right back.” 

“Wait, where are you going?” 

I started to follow, but the van door slammed shut with cold finality.

I could only stare blankly through the window as Jaehyun’s figure grew smaller in the distance. 

“Thanks for the coffee, Jaehyun-ssi!” 

“Thank you!” 

“No problem, enjoy it!” 

As I neared the coffee truck, other staff members called out their gratitude. 

[Take good care of our Jaehyun hyung! ♡ -From your cutie, Jungwoo] 

The truck was decked out with charming flowers and a heartfelt message, but Jaehyun wasn’t exactly thrilled.

He knew there was an ulterior motive behind this sweet gesture. 

“Hyung!” 

Jungwoo, fresh off a phone call, spotted Jaehyun and waved, his smartphone still in hand. 

“What brings you all the way out here?” 

“Come on, hyung, I’m just here to support you. You sent me a coffee truck last time, remember?” 

The “last time” Jungwoo referred to was three years ago. 

Jaehyun’s eyes narrowed as Jungwoo dredged up ancient history, sensing the younger man’s true intentions.

In a low, serious tone, he said, “Let’s talk over there.” 

During the break, the quieter corners of the set were already occupied by staff members in small groups, smoking and chatting.

Left with no choice, Jaehyun led them back toward his van. 

“I’m telling you, I’m just here to cheer you on. Why are you acting so scary?”

Jungwoo protested, pulling his wrist free with a pout. 

“Don’t lie. It hasn’t even been a week since you asked me for a loan.” 

Jaehyun wasn’t buying Jungwoo’s flimsy excuse about “support.”

Over the years in this industry, he’d met countless people, and those with hidden agendas always wore the same expression.

Jungwoo’s face was a textbook example. 

“Hyung, please, just lend me three hundred million won this one last time.” 

And there it was. 

“Are you insane? Are you ever going to get it together?” 

Jaehyun bit his lip, lowering his voice to avoid being overheard, but his anger simmered just below the surface. 

“If you help me just this once, I swear I’ll never touch it again. This is the last time, I promise.” 

Jungwoo clasped his hands together, looking ready to drop to his knees. 

But Jaehyun knew those expressions were a façade.

Trust only those worth trusting. 

“Who’s going to believe a gambler’s ‘last time’?” 

“I’ve got a project lined up. I’m just doing this while I’m on a break. Once I start working again, I’ll quit.” 

“A project?” 

Jungwoo had been so consumed by gambling that he hadn’t touched a script in ages, so Jaehyun couldn’t help but be intrigued. 

“Yeah, I’m set to join a drama directed by Park Jongtae. Once I clear my debts, I’m done.” 

If they were mere acquaintances, Jaehyun might’ve brushed it off, but with Jungwoo pleading like this, he couldn’t help but waver. 

When Jaehyun first met Jungwoo, the kid was seventeen.

From his days running around in a school uniform to his first drink as an adult, to his debut in a web drama—Jaehyun had been there for it all.

How could he turn his back on him now? 

“Jungwoo, please. Just stop this.” 

Jaehyun gripped Jungwoo’s shoulders, his voice heavy with sincerity. 

“I’m telling you, I’ll stop. I even told my uncle I’m going to focus on work from now on.” 

“Jungwoo.” 

“Believe in me one more time, hyung. I just want to clear this up and focus on my craft.” 

Jaehyun’s heart wavered, but he couldn’t bring himself to nod at the plea to “believe one more time.” 

“I’ll think about it.” 

“Hyung!” 

Jungwoo’s face crumpled, clearly frustrated that his desperate begging hadn’t swayed Jaehyun. 

“Filming’s about to start. Thanks for the coffee truck. You should head out.” 

Jaehyun walked away, leaving Jungwoo standing alone by the van. 

“Ha… and who’s the reason I got into gambling in the first place? Damn it, I raised that ungrateful bastard, and this is what I get.” 

Jungwoo pulled a cigarette from his pocket, about to light it when he noticed something at the van’s back door.

It shifted slightly, then pressed closer to the glass.

Startled, thinking someone might’ve overheard him, Jungwoo stumbled back. 

“Whoa! Geez! Oh… it’s just that damn dog.” 

Realizing it was Jaehyun’s dog, he flushed with embarrassment for jumping.

Annoyed, he kicked the van’s bumper. 

“Get lost, or else!” 

He raised his hand threateningly, but the dog just stared at him, unblinking.

The tense standoff between one human and one dog was finally interrupted by a passing staff member. 

“Hey! It’s Han Jungwoo!” 

“Thanks for the coffee!” 

“We’ll enjoy it!” 

“Haha, no problem! You guys for your hard work!” 

Jungwoo hid the cigarette behind his back and flashed a bright smile at the staff. 

They weren’t long-time crew members, judging by their enthusiastic response, but building a good image never hurt. 

Bzzzt—Bzzzt 

Jungwoo’s phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen and raked a hand through his hair in irritation. 

“Goddamn it, these guys have no chill. They think money just materializes if they keep calling?” 

Loan sharks, hiding behind the guise of “businessmen.”

Their relentless hounding was driving him to the edge. 

But ignoring their calls wasn’t an option—; he didn’t want to find out what they’d do if he did.

Clearing his throat, Jungwoo answered cautiously. 

“Hello?” 

“Hello? You piece of trash, you think you can steal our money and just say ‘hello’?” 

It had been one day.

Just one day since Jungwoo missed a payment on the interest for his loan. 

One day was all it took to go from “actor” to “piece of trash.” 

“I’ll pay it back, I swear. Just give me three days.” 

“Three days? Last time it was a week, now it’s three? You think we’re a joke? Keep this up, and we’ll have a nice article out calling you a gambler.” 

Jungwoo paled at the mention of an article.

He was hyper-aware of public perception. 

“No, you can’t! I’ve got a project lined up. I’ll pay you as soon as I get the contract deposit.” 

“Ha, I know your level. You think a measly deposit going to cover it?” 

Jungwoo’s attempt to smooth things over with talk of a deposit was shot down with a scoff. 

“I’ve got a plan! Jaehyun! I’m borrowing from Jung Jaehyun. Three hundred million is pocket change for him.” 

“Jung Jaehyun?” 

The loan shark’s tone shifted at the mention of Jaehyun’s name. 

If you asked who the hottest actor in Korea was, nine out of ten would say Jung Jaehyun.

It was a predictable reaction. 

“You should’ve mentioned that connection sooner.” 

Sure, Jaehyun had a few hit projects, but was he really that much bigger than me?

Jungwoo had expected the response, but hearing it still stung. 

“If it’s Jaehyun, I could lend you a few more billion. Need more?” 

“No, I’m good.” 

The loan shark’s attempt to dangle more money snapped Jungwoo out of his resentment. 

“Shame. Three days, then?” 

“Yeah.” 

“After three days, your neck’s on the auction block.” 

Oh, right.

Jungwoo shivered as he remembered the “body forfeiture” clause he’d signed. 

“With a celebrity premium, you’d fetch a decent price.” 

Back when they’d offered a 5% discount on fees, Jungwoo had signed without a second thought, assuming he’d pay it off quickly.

Now, he cursed his past self. 

“We don’t grovel or chase people down like petty thugs. This is business.” 

“Oh, and just in case—cut out the booze and smoke starting today.” 

“I’ll get the money. Don’t worry.” 

Jaehyun hadn’t agreed yet, but Jungwoo was confident he wouldn’t turn his back on him. 

“Hyunjae! Want a snack?” 

Snack? 

The word pierced my ears as I lounged at home after a walk. 

Snacks?

I’m in.

I shot up from my cushion and bolted toward Jaehyun.

My mouth was already bored—this was perfect timing. 

“Only quick when it’s about food, huh? Paw! Spin! Down!” 

I powered through the tricks to earn my treat, with only the final “wait” left. 

“Wait.” 

Jaehyun placed the snack on the back of his hand, and I stared at him, poised.

Then, the doorbell chimed—someone was at the house. 

“Who’s that at this hour?” 

“Where are you going? I’m waiting here!” 

I started to follow as Jaehyun moved to leave, but he turned back with a firm look. 

“Tch—Hyunjae. Wait.” 

“Whine.” 

Making me wait like this was low, but I stayed put, knowing good behavior meant snacks. 

Then. 

“Jungwoo? What’s up at this hour?” 

“Hyung, I really need to ask you for something.” 

From that day, everything in my world shifted.